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Barbi Benton

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	Topics Barbi Benton Topic Home Barbi Benton (born 28 January 1950) is an AmericanUnited States The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is... model, actressActor An actor is a person who acts, or plays a role, in a dramatic production.... and singerSinger A singer is a type of musician who uses his or her voice to produce music.... . She became famous for being the girlfriend of PlayboyPlayboy *Playboy* is an American adult entertainment magazine, founded in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, which has grown ... founder and publisher Hugh HefnerHugh Hefner Hugh Marston Hefner , also referred to colloquially as "Hef," is the founder and editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine.... . She is often misperceived as having been a Playboy PlaymatePlaymate A Playmate is a female model featured in Playboy magazine.... since she was featured on the Playboy cover several times. Early life Benton was born Barbara Klein in New York CityNew York City New York City is the largest city in the United States and the twelfth largest city in the world, making it a major global c... , New YorkNew York New York is a state in the northeastern United States.... . In 1952, her family moved to SacramentoSacramento, California Sacramento is the state capital of California and the county seat of Sacramento County.... , CaliforniaCalifornia California is a state spanning the southern half of the west coast of the contiguous United States.... when her father, a military doctor, was assigned new duties there. Benton attended Rio Americano High SchoolRio Americano High School Rio Americano High School is an American public high school in Sacramento, California, part of the San Juan Unified School D... in Sacramento before heading for Los AngelesLos Ángeles Los ?ngeles is the capital of the province of Biob?o, in the municipality of the same name, in Region VIII in the center-so... at age 16, where she began modeling for Valerie Cragin's Flaire Agency in Beverly Hills to supplement her allowance. Career She met Hugh HefnerHugh Hefner Overview Hugh Marston Hefner , also referred to colloquially as "Hef," is the founder and editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine.... in 1968, when she was booked as "atmosphere" for his television show Playboy After DarkFacts About Playboy After Dark *Playboy After Dark* was an American television show hosted by Hugh Hefner.... which filmed A-list entertainers performing in Hugh Hefner's mansion surrounded by Playboy Playmates. Benton said she pretended to be Hefner's girlfriend for a couple of episodes and soon found herself living the role full time. She was on her way to becoming a multifaceted icon of 1970s glamour. Shortly after meeting Hefner, at his suggestion, she changed her name to the more showbiz-friendly Barbi Benton. "When he asked me out," Barbi recalls, "I was 18 and he was 42. I said I'd never gone out with anyone older than 24, and he said, 'That's all right. Neither have I.' We hit it off right away, and it lasted for eight years!" Benton was Hefner's girlfriend and lived with him from 1969-1976. She also became a recording star, a Las Vegas headliner and a movie actress, with credits including DeathstalkerDeathstalker (film) *Deathstalker* is a 1983 Argentine low-budget sci-fi fantasy film adventure directed by James Sbardellati. ... , The Naughty Cheerleader and Hospital MassacreHospital Massacre Hosptal Massacre is an obscure 1982 film directed by Boaz Davidson.... . Although none of the films were particular box office successes, they enjoy a cult status among fans of B-movies. While being one of the best known women whose fame derives from appearing in PlayboyPlayboy *Playboy* is an American adult entertainment magazine, founded in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, which has grown ... magazine, contrary to popular belief, Barbi Benton has never been featured as a Playmate of the Month centerfold in the magazine. She also never worked as a Playboy BunnyPlayboy Bunny A Playboy Bunny was a waitress at the Playboy Clubs.... . Besides the Hefner connection, Benton is best known for her years as a regular on the country music series Hee HawHee Haw *Hee Haw* was a long-running U.S.... as a scantily clad country cutie trading gags and appearing in comic skits with other regulars. She left the program after four seasons to concentrate on a more Hollywood-oriented career. She also starred in the short-lived ABC-TVAmerican Broadcasting Company The American Broadcasting Company operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic ca... comedy series Sugar Time! about an aspiring female rock group in 1977. That show's greatest claim to fame may have been its inspiring one television critic to call it "jiggle TV", a term that was then frequently used to describe the many television series of the era starring attractive, sexy young women. Benton was also a recording artist with some success. Her 1975 record, "Brass Buckles", was a top five hit on Billboards country singles chart. Benton has recorded eight albums, the last of which she personally produced in 1979. She also composed the songs, sang them and played pianoPiano piano or pianoforte is a musical instrument classified as a keyboard, percussion, or string instrument, depending on t... . One of her better known songs was "Ain't That Just the Way" in 1976, which was also a major hit for Lutricia McNealLutricia McNeal Lutricia McNeal is an American R&B/pop singer who mainly releases her records and CDs in Europe.... in 1996, and was recorded by the Dutch singer Patricia PaayPatricia Paay Patricia Paay was well known in the Netherlands in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s for her contribution to popular music.... under the title Poor Jeremy in 1977. Benton now works as an interior decorator. Family She left Hefner when she eventually realized that he was not interested in starting a new family. Benton married George Gradow, a successful real estate developer on October 14, 1979. The couple has two children, Alexander Benton Gradow (born August 23, 1986) and a daughter, Arianna (born 1988). Benton mostly concentrates on building and designing homes now. They split their time between their homes in Aspen, ColoradoAspen, Colorado Summary Aspen is the largest city and county seat of Pitkin County, Colorado.... and OahuOahu Oahu , the "Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous island in the State of Ha... . On April 28, 2006, Gradow was sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to tax fraud and fudging financial documents in a bid to mislead the Internal Revenue ServiceInternal Revenue Service The Internal Revenue Service is the United States government agency that collects taxes and enforces the internal revenue l... (IRS). Gradow admitted that he tried to conceal his company's 1999 tax underpayment by destroying original documents and by changing interest rates and due dates on promissory notePromissory note A promissory note is a contract detailing the terms of a promise by one party to pay a sum of money to the other.... s and real estate leaseLease A lease is a legal document, but can be an oral arrangement, which confers a right on one person to possess property belong... documents as well as changing lease terms. Gradow was also told to pay $128,185 in restitutionRestitution The law of restitution is the law of gains-based recovery.... and a $5,000 fine to the IRS. Discography Barbi Doll (1974) Barbi Benton (1975) Something New (1976) Ain't That Just The Way (1978) Kinetic Voyage (1988) Filmography Naughty Cheerleader, 1972 For The Love Of It, 1980 Hospital MassacreHospital Massacre Hosptal Massacre is an obscure 1982 film directed by Boaz Davidson.... , 1981 DeathstalkerDeathstalker (film) *Deathstalker* is a 1983 Argentine low-budget sci-fi fantasy film adventure directed by James Sbardellati. ... , 1983 Schulmädchen 1984 Television appearances L'Uomo del colpo perfetto (Movie, 1968), as girl in bed. The Sonny & Cher Show (TV), as herself. Playboy After Dark (TV, 1968), as herself. Hee HawHee Haw *Hee Haw* was a long-running U.S.... (TV, 1969), as herself. Marcus Welby, M.D.Marcus Welby, M.D. *Marcus Welby, M.D.* was a popular medical drama that aired on ABC from September 23, 1969 to July 29, 1976.... (TV, 1972), playing Liz in episode: "We'll Walk Out of Here Together" (episode # 4.3). The Midnight Special (TV, 1973), as herself. The Great American Beauty Contest (TV, 1973) as Miss Iowa. The Third Girl from the Left (TV, 1973), playing Melanie. The American BandstandAmerican Bandstand *American Bandstand* was a live dance music television show.... (TV, 1975), guest artist. McCloud (TV, 1975), playing Shannon Forbes in episode "Park Avenue Pirates". Nashville on the road (TV, 1975), artist. Sugar Time! (TV, 1977), playing Maxx Douglas. Murder at the Mardi Gras (TV, 1978) as herself. Fantasy Island (TV, 1978) playing Shirley Russell in episode "Poof, you're a movie star" (episode # 1.12). The Love Boat (TV, 1978) playing Brigitte in episodes "Computerman", "Parlez-Vous" and "Memories of you". The Love Boat (TV, 1978) playing Kiki Atwood in episode "Marooned, part 1 and 2" (episodes # 2.26/27). America 2Night (TV, 1978), as herself, receiving the UBS Liftetime Achievement Award. The Hollywood Squares (TV, 1978) playing Guest Panelist. Fantasy Island (TV, 1978), playing Dee Dee Verona in episodes "The Appointment" and "Mr. Tattoo". Fantasy Island (TV, 1979), playing Bunny Kelly in episodes "Baby" and "Marathon: Battle of the sexes". Vega$Vega$ *Vega$* was a TV show that aired on ABC between 1978 and 1981.... (TV, 1979), playing Holly in episode "Design For Death" (episode # 2.5). The Love BoatThe Love Boat *The Love Boat* was a TV series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from 1977 until 1986.... (TV, 1979) playing Lucy in episodes "Not now, I'm dying", "Eleanor's return" and "Too young to love". The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson* was the full name of NBC's The Tonight Show during the years that Johnny Car... (TV, 1980), guest. Fantasy Island (TV, 1980), playing Erica Clark in episodes Playgirl and Smith's Valhalla. Fantasy Island (TV, 1980), playing Molly Delahanti in episodes "The love doctor", "Pleasure palace" and "Possessed". Charlie's AngelsCharlie's Angels *Charlie's Angels* was a television series broadcast from 1976 to 1981, about three women who work for a fictional private... (TV, 1980), playing Toni Green in episode "Island Angels" (episode # 5.5). For the love of it (Movie, 1980), playing Anita Carney. Lobo (TV, 1981) playing country singer Kitty Rhinestone in episode "The Cowboy Connection". CHiPsCHiPs *CHiPs* was a US television series through MGM Studios running on NBC from September 15, 1977 to July 17, 1983.... (TV, 1981) playing Sal in episode "Ponch's Angels, part 1 and 2" (episodes # 4.14/15). The Match Game/Hollywood SquaresHollywood Squares 'The Hollywood Squares is an American television comedy and game show in which two contestants play tic-tac-toe to win mon... Hour (TV, 1983) playing Guest Panelist. Fantasy IslandFantasy Island *Fantasy Island* refers to two separate but related American fantasy television series, both originally airing on the ABC ... (TV, 1982), playing Courtney/Miss Winslow in episodes "House of dolls" and "Wuthering heights". Circus of the StarsCircus of the Stars *Circus of the Stars* was an annual television special, broadcast by the CBS network in the United States, in which celebr... (TV, 1982, 1980, 1979), performer. Fantasy Island (TV, 1981), episodes "The Devil and Mr. Roarke", "Ziegfeld Girls", and "Kid Corey Rides Again". The Love Boat (TV, 1981), playing Cathy Somms in episodes "The Nudist from Sunshine Gardens", "Eye of the beholder" and "Bugged". Fantasy Island (TV, 1981), playing Marsha Garnett/Carla Baines in episodes "The man from yesterday" and "World's most desirable woman". Matt HoustonMatt Houston *Matt Houston* was an American crime and drama series starring Lee Horsley as a responsible crime hero named Matlock "Matt... (TV, 1983) playing Ava Randolph in episode "Purrfect Crime" (episode # 1.13). Mickey Spillane's Mike HammerMickey Spillane's Mike Hammer *Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer* was the title used for two television series about the fictional private detective Mike Ha... (TV, 1984) playing Susan Lancaster in episode "CatfightCatfight Catfight is a slang term for an altercation between two women, typically involving slapping, scratching, and hair-pulling as... " (episode # 2.4). And the Wall Came Tumbling Down (TV, 1984) playing Caroline Trent. Safe at home (TV, ca 1985) playing Connie Simpson in episode Old flame. Murder, She WroteMurder, She Wrote *Murder, She Wrote* is a long-running television mystery series starring Angela Lansbury as mystery writer and amateur det... (TV, 1986) playing Sue Beth in episode "Murder in the Electric Cathedral" (episode # 2.16). RiptideRiptide (TV series) Riptide was a television detective series that ran on NBC from 1984 to 1986.... (TV, 1986), playing Gina Potter in episode "Playing Hardball" (episode # 3.17). Barbi Benton Presents: Best Buns On The Beach (TV, ca 1990), intro-host. Barbi Benton Presents: Stripper of the Year (TV, ca 1990), intro-host. Hugh Hefner: Once upon a time (TV, 1992), as herself. Playboy: The party continues (TV, 2000), as herself. Entertainment Tonight (TV, 2002), as herself. Playboy's 50th Anniversary (TV, 2003), as herself. The Girls Next Door (TV, 2005), as herself in "Fight Night" (episode # 1.5). The Girls Next Door (TV, 2007), as herself in "Guess Who's Coming to Luncheon?" (episode # 3.14). Theater appearances I love my life (1982). The play was held January 12-24 at the La Mirada Civic Theatre in California. External links